HANCOCK COUNTY — Heading into Week 5 of a nine-game regular-season schedule, local high school football teams are putting together plans to fix what’s gone wrong, and continue what’s right, as they embark on the latter part of the season and head to the playoffs.
Eastern Hancock started the year ranked in the Class 2A polls, but with injuries to key players — top rusher Mark Kube and top receiver Hayden Jackson did not play last week — and losses in its last two games have been knocked out of the top 10.
To get back on track the Royals will have to win on the road at arch-rival Knightstown Friday.
Eastern Hancock has dominated the series of late, winning nine of the last 10, but the Panthers have one of their strongest teams in recent years.
Knightstown comes in 4-0, the best start since 2005 when the Panthers won their first 14 games before losing to Sheridan in the state championship contest.
The Plowshare & Anvil trophy has been in Eastern Hancock’s possession since the Royals beat the Panthers 46-27 in 2019.
Trent Taylor, the former defensive coordinator at Greenfield-Central, is in his second year as Knightstown’s head coach.
Greenfield-Central and New Palestine will meet in Week 6, but both have key Hoosier Heritage Conference games this week and will not want to look too far ahead.
Both are 4-0 and playing on the road this week.
Class 4A No. 4 Greenfield-Central travels to Shelbyville. Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine plays its third straight road HHC game with a trip to Pendleton Heights.
The Cougars have won all four of their meetings against the Golden Bears under head coach Travis Nolting. New Palestine has 12 in a row against the Arabians and now lead the all-time series 24-13.
Greenfield-Central beat Pendleton Heights last week. The Dragons are 76-2 in HHC games since 2013 and have won 21 straight league games.
Mt. Vernon is looking for its first win of the season at Delta Friday.
The Marauders have played one of the toughest schedules in the state and Friday will not get much easier against a 3-1 Delta team that is receiving votes in the Class 3A poll.
The Marauders opened with games against Class 6A Noblesville and Class 5A Franklin, a game they lost by one point.
They led 22-15 at halftime against Greenfield-Central in Week 3, but have since been outscored 84-13.
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Week 5
Friday Night’s Football Schedule
7 p.m. – Class 2A RV Eastern Hancock (2-2) at Class 1A RV Knightstown (4-0)
7 p.m. – Class 4A No. 4 Greenfield-Central (4-0, 2-0) at Shelbyville (1-3, 0-2)
7 p.m. – Mt. Vernon (0-4, 0-2) at Class 3A RV Delta (3-1, 1-1)
7 p.m. – Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine (3-0, 2-0) at Pendleton Heights (2-2, 1-1)
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Game Capsules
Class 2A RV Eastern Hancock (2-2) at Class 1A RV Knightstown (4-0)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Pat Echeverria, 38-27 in 6th year at Eastern Hancock, 70-83 in 14th year overall. Trent Taylor, 7-7 in 2nd year at Knightstown.
Recent history: In the rivalry game for the Plowshare and Anvil trophy, the Royals have won four straight and nine of the last 10 meetings. In Charlottesville last season, Eastern won 45-13.
Sagarin ratings: Eastern Hancock, 52.04, 158th overall, 23rd in 2A. Knightstown, 34.21, 235th overall, 25th in 1A.
Players to watch: Eastern Hancock — QB Elijah Edon, RB Mark Kube, WR Hayden Jackson, LB Gabe Johnson, LB Ayden Trueblood, WR Eli Manship, TE Kayden Ruble, RB/DL Evan Wheeler, LB Ethan Sipes, WR Austin Brown, WR/KR/DB Garrett Shaw; Knightstown – RB/LB Jameson Crawford, WR/CB Gage Broady, QB Bryor Carmichael, RB/LB Denny Weir, FB/LB Brody Butler, RB/LB Wyatt Halcomb, OL/DL Ayden Hiner.
What to look for: The Royals played without their top rusher (Kube) and top receiver (Jackson) last week in a 63-33 loss at Heritage Christian, but Edon, Wheeler and receivers Shaw, Manship, Ruble and Brown helped generate plenty of offense. The Royals will look to pick it up on the defensive side against a Panthers team that is averaging 43.3 points per game and off to their best start since 2005.
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Class 4A No. 4 Greenfield-Central (4-0, 2-0) at Shelbyville (1-3, 0-2)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Travis Nolting, 32-24 in 6th year at Greenfield-Central, 92-52 in 14th year overall. Scott Fitzgerald, 4-10, in 2nd year at Shelbyville.
Recent history: Greenfield-Central has won four straight in the series by a combined score of 219-7. The Cougars won 47-0 last season.
Sagarin ratings: Greenfield-Central 74.42, 45th overall, 10th in 4A; Shelbyville 35.93, 223rd overall, 51st in 4A.
Players to watch: Greenfield-Central – QB Dallas Freeman, RB/LB Cooper Hinton, FB Braylen Benavente, RB/LB Payton Foley, DL Zach Blevens, WR Boston Willard, DL Jake VanOsdol, SS Trenton Smith, LB Kody Smith, DB Zach Waterman, WR Landon Ford; Shelbyville – RB/LB Donavon Martin, G/LB Brayden Schultz, OL/LB Julian Eads, KR Wes Bailey, WR/LB Grantland Ferguson, QB Tyler Gwinnup.
What to look for: The Cougars are off to another great start at 4-0 and should handle the Bears. They’ve dominated the series (4-0) under Nolting. The Cougars are averaging 241.5 rushing yards per game and that includes the Greensburg win that was stopped, due to weather, right before the first quarter ended. Freeman also has seven TD passes and the defense has 15 sacks and 23 total tackles for loss.
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Mt. Vernon (0-4, 0-2) at Class 3A RV Delta (3-1, 1-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Vince Lidy, 27-14 in 4th year at Mt. Vernon. Chris Overholt, 54-39 in 9th year at Delta.
Recent history: Mt. Vernon has won four straight in the series including a 31-20 victory in Fortville last season.
Sagarin ratings: Mt. Vernon 56.99, 134th overall, 32nd in 4A. Delta, 63.62, 101st overall, 22nd in 3A.
Players to watch: Mt. Vernon — QB Mason Meyer, RB Joliba Brogan, RB/DB DJ Johnson, WR/DB Gavin Joy, LB Christian Kiptoo, K Rylan Vinard, WR/DB Kolten Anderson, LB Jonah Schroeder; Delta – QB Bronson Edwards, RB Nolan Carpenter, WR/DB Zane Cline, WR/CB Cooper Bratton, T/DE Cole Mynett, LB Nash Keesling, WR Amir Wright-Hill.
What to look for: Mt. Vernon has started out with one of the toughest schedules in the state. Competitive, but losses to Class 6A Noblesville and Class 5A Franklin preceded a pair of rough outings against rivals and state-ranked No. 4 Greenfield-Central and No. 1 New Palestine. The task on Friday is a tough one, too. Delta is receiving votes in the 3A poll and are 3-1 on the season. Mt. Vernon will likely want to get Brogan going after a rough outing against the Dragons. Delta has a nice balance with Edwards and multiple receivers and the running of Carpenter.
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Class 4A No. 1 New Palestine (3-0, 2-0) at Pendleton Heights (2-2, 1-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Kyle Ralph, 130-14 in 12th year at New Palestine; Jed Richman, 50-39 in 9th year at Pendleton Heights, 85-69 in 15th year overall.
Recent history: The Dragons lead the all-time series 24-13 and have won 12 straight, including last years; 34-14 game at Kelso Stadium.
Sagarin ratings: New Palestine 89.07, 9th overall, 1st in 4A. Pendleton Heights 64.08, 99th overall, 21st in 4A.
Players to watch: New Palestine —DL Michael Thacker, OL/DL Brock Brownfield, QB Jacob Davis, LB Garrett Ranes, LB/RB Josh Ranes, LB Alex Guhl, WR/DB Cameron Rollyson, TE/LB Mason Oglesby, WR Austin McMahan, RB Max Wiegand, RB/DB Caden Jacobia, DB Connor Jacobia, K/P Jake Wells; Pendleton Heights – QB Colton Frank, RB Keaton Jones, WR Nate Derolf, WR Jacob Rowley, WR/DB Cooper Sims, LB Nico White, LB Garrett Pederson, DL Jacob Eldridge.
What to look for: The Dragons have won 12 straight in the series, but don’t expect the Dragons to overlook the Arabians with a Week 6 matchup against Greenfield-Central waiting. Pendleton Heights always presents a challenge with its physical-style of play. The Dragons play that way, too, and showed it last week by slowing down Mt. Vernon all-state RB Joliba Brogan and mixing things up on the offensive side with the hard running of Ranes and the accurate passing game led by Davis.
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2024 Hancock County Football Statistical Leaders
PASSING
Name,School;G;C;A;YDS;PCT;Y/G;TD;INT;RAT
Jacob Davis, New Palestine;4;35;49;668;.714;167.0;8;1;144.8
Dallas Freeman, Greenfield-Central;4;27;44;398;.614;99.5;7;2;111.6
Elijah Edon, Eastern Hancock;4;68;119;1006;.571;251.5;10;4;98.9
Mason Meyer, Mt. Vernon;3;22;54;238;.407;79.3;2;3;43.6
RUSHING
Name, School;G;CAR;YDS;AVG;Y/G;TD
Mark Kube, Eastern Hancock;3;60;372;6.2;124.0;4
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;3;61;338;5.5;112.7;6
Josh Ranes, New Palestine;4;31;439;14.2;109.8;9
Cooper Hinton, Greenfield-Central;4;28;238;8.5;59.5;5
Payton Foley, Greenfield-Central;4;16;236;14.8;59.0;4
RECEIVING
Name, School;G;REC;YDS;AVG;Y/G;TD
Hayden Jackson, Eastern Hancock;3;17;294;17.3;98.0;5
Austin McMahan, New Palestine;4;9;273;30.3;68.3;4
Eli Manship, Eastern Hancock;4;17;272;16.0;68.0;1
Eli Wasson, New Palestine;2;3;108;36.0;54.0;2
Ryker Baer, Mt. Vernon;3;7;145;20.7;48.3;2
TACKLES
Name, School;G;S;A;T;T/G;TFL
Jonah Schroder, Mt. Vernon;3;17;12;29;9.7;1.5
Trenton Smith, Greenfield-Central;4;14;24;38;9.5;2.0
Christian Kiptoo, Mt. Vernon;3;17;9;26;8.7;4.5
Kolten Anderson, Mt. Vernon;3;16;10;26;8.7;1.0
Gabe Johnson, Eastern Hancock;4;16;15;31;7.8;9.0
SACKS
Name, School;G;S;S/G
Gabe Johnson, Eastern Hancock;4;4.5;1.1
Zach Blevens, Greenfield-Central;4;4.0;1.0
Payton Foley, Greenfield-Central;4;4.0;1.0
Jake VanOsdol, Greenfield-Central;4;3.0;0.8
Michael Thacker, New Palestine;3;2.0;0.7
INTERCEPTIONS
Name, School;G;I;I/G
Connor Jacobia, New Palestine;4;2;0.5
Carson Anderson, Greenfield-Central;4;1;0.3
Austin Kincer, Greenfield-Central;4;1;0.3
Josh Ranes, New Palestine;4;1;0.3
Cameron Rollyson, New Palestine;4;1;0.3
Zach Waterman, Greenfield-Central;4;1;0.3
PUNTING
Name, School;P;YDS;AVE
Jake Wells, New Palestine;5;177;35.4
Mason Meyer, Mt. Vernon;6;205;34.2
Jacob Davis, New Palestine;1;33;33.0
Evan Wheeler, Eastern Hancock;5;146;29.2
John Duncan, Mt. Vernon;7;187;26.7
RETURN YARDS
Name, School;K;P;T
Garrett Shaw, Eastern Hancock;222;0;222
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;132;0;132
Ryker Baer, Mt. Vernon;121;0;121
Cameron Rollyson, New Palestine;65;28;93
Gavin Joy, Mt. Vernon;52;31;83
SCORING
Name, School;G;TD;CONV;S;K;TP;P/G
Josh Ranes, New Palestine;4;6;0;0;0;54;13.5
Joliba Brogan, Mt. Vernon;3;6;0;0;0;36;12.0
Cooper Hinton, Greenfield-Central;4;7;2;0;0;44;11.0
Hayden Jackson, Eastern Hancock;3;5;0;0;0;30;10.0
Mark Kube, Eastern Hancock;3;4;2;0;0;26;8.7
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2024 Indiana Football Coaches Association Coaches Poll (Week 5)
6A
1. Brownsburg (8) 4-0 96
2. Westfield (2) 4-0 91
3. Warren Central 4-0 81
4. Center Grove 3-1 60
5. Crown Point 4-0 56
6. Lawrence North 4-0 43
7. Indpls. Cathedral 2-2 40
8. Hamilton SE 3-1 29
9. Columbus North 4-0 11
10. FW Snider 3-1 10
Others receiving votes: Carmel 2-2 (7), Fishers 3-1 (7), Elkhart 3-1 (6), Homestead 2-2 (5), Indpls. Pike 3-1 (1), Penn 3-1 (1)
5A
1. Valparaiso (5) 3-1 92
2. Concord (1) 4-0 80
2. Merrillville (1) 3-1 80
4. Lafayette Jeff 4-0 66
5. Warsaw (1) 3-1 57
6. Plainfield 4-0 47
7. Whiteland 2-1 35
8. East Central (1) 2-2 34
9. Decatur Central (1) 1-2 25
10. Castle 3-1 15
Others receiving votes: Bloomington North 3-1 (14), Michigan City 1-3 (3), Bloomington South 2-2 (2)
4A
1. New Palestine (10) 4-0 100
2. Evansvillle Reitz 4-0 79
3. Indpls. Chatard 3-1 74
4. Greenfield-Central 4-0 73
5. Martinsville 4-0 62
6. Leo 4-0 52
7. Mishawaka 3-1 42
8. Columbia City 4-0 25
9. Brebeuf Jesuit 3-1 13
10. Hanover Central 3-1 11
Others receiving votes: New Prairie 3-1 (8), East Noble 3-1 (6), Northview 4-0 (2), Danville 3-1 (1), FW Dwenger 1-3 (1), Northwood 2-2 (1)
3A
1. Evansville Memorial 4-0 (9) 99
2. Heritage Hills 3-1 (1) 87
3. Gibson Southern 3-1 77
4. FW Luers 3-1 57
5. Guerin Catholic 3-1 52
6. West Lafayette 3-1 42
7. Lawrenceburg 3-1 32
8. Evansville Mater Dei 3-1 30
9. Batesville 4-0 25
10. Mississinewa 4-0 22
Others receiving votes: Delta 3-1 (9), Southridge 3-1 (7), Tri-West 2-2 (5), West Noble 4-0 (5), Garrett 4-0 (2)
2A
1. Lafayette CC 3-0 (9) 98
2. Brownstown Central 4-0 (1) 80
3. North Posey 4-0 73
4. Indpls. Lutheran 3-1 55
5. Adams Central 3-1 51
6. Linton-Stockton 3-1 43
7. Western Boone 4-0 36
8. Lapel 4-0 26
8. Monrovia 3-1 26
10. Triton Central 2-2 20
Others receiving votes: Bluffton 4-0 (12), Paoli 4-0 (8), Andrean 2-2 (8), Heritage Christian 3-1 (7), Eastern Hancock 2-2 (6), Centerville 4-0 (3), Elwood 1-3, (3), South Vermillion 4-0 (3)
1A
1. North Judson 4-0 (9) 99
2. Providence 4-0 (1) 88
3. Carroll (Flora) 4-0 79
4. LaVille 2-2 69
5. North Decatur 3-1 54
6. South Putnam 2-2 47
7. Triton 3-1 27
8. Springs Valley 3-1 26
9. Pioneer 3-1 16
10. Milan 2-2 12
10. North Miami 3-1 12
Others receiving votes: Monroe Central 3-1 (11), Forest Park 3-1 (10), North Newton 1-3 (9) , Knightstown 4-0 (6),
Frontier 3-0 (1), Riverton Parke 3-1 (1)
